Public Health News Round Up, May 21, 2025

by Jon Scaccia May 21, 2025

A little late today. Apologies!

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Congress’s budget aims to target Medicaid fraud. In Massachusetts, the reality is more complicated.

In an attempt to constrain Medicaid expenses, congressional Republicans are pushing for stricter eligibility requirements and anti-fraud measures, yet experts argue that the emphasis on fraud overlooks bigger cost drivers like rising healthcare prices and could leave millions uninsured. This focus, seemingly more about cutting program access than addressing true fiscal waste, highlights a broader debate about social safety nets, oversight efficacy, and political priorities amid proposed significant tax cuts.

Diseases are spreading. The CDC isn’t warning the public like it was months ago

Since the Trump administration’s rise to power, CDC’s communications have significantly dwindled, with essential platforms like newsletters and social media going silent, potentially endangering public health by delaying vital information on disease outbreaks. This shift, attributed to new oversight from the Department of Health and Human Services and substantial staff layoffs, has transformed CDC’s communication channels into tools heavily filtered through political agendas rather than purely scientific outreach, worrying many experts and former employees.

FDA crackdown on off-brand Ozempic products set to take effect, threatening supply and access for many

The FDA’s deadline to halt the production and sale of off-brand GLP-1 drugs, vital for weight loss and diabetes, is set to tighten their supply, possibly leaving millions of patients scrambling for affordable alternatives. While the original shortages of semaglutide and tirzepatide seem to have resolved, patients like Michelle Pierce, who can’t afford brand-name options due to inconsistent insurance coverage, fear losing access to these essential treatments.

FDA says Covid vaccines likely not available for healthy kids and adults this fall

The FDA is shaking up its Covid vaccine strategy, requiring new vaccines to undergo rigorous placebo-controlled trials rather than following the flu shot model. While this won’t delay updated shots for high-risk groups like seniors, healthy children and adults might see fewer routine approvals, sparking debate over personal risk assessment and choice in getting vaccinated.

The GOP’s Big Medicaid Idea Was Tried Before—And Failed Badly

The push to implement Medicaid work requirements, such as those proposed in Trump’s healthcare bill and tested in Georgia, risks leaving millions uninsured due to bureaucratic hurdles and inconsistent enforcement, as evidenced by the trials faced by individuals like Tanisha Corporal and Luke Seaborn. While proponents argue these requirements protect taxpayer dollars and ensure only those who truly need Medicaid receive it, the reality often reveals systemic issues that unfairly restrict access, affecting not just those without a stable income but also undermining broader healthcare objectives.

Trump’s DOJ accuses Medicare Advantage insurers of paying ‘kickbacks’ for primo customers

The DOJ lawsuit accuses major insurers like Aetna and Humana of paying hefty kickbacks to brokerages to sway Medicare beneficiaries towards their plans, raising questions about whether brokers prioritize profits over patient needs. This case not only spotlights potential exploitation in the Medicare Advantage market, but also underscores the urgency for Congress to reassess incentives that might lead brokers to prioritize profits over genuine plan suitability for enrollees.